Trends — they may be fleeting and cyclical, but there’s no denying the thrill of dipping your toes (and tips!) in experimental styles you might not try on the regular. And this year’s nail-art trends are anything but boring. We asked four nail experts from across the country to share their predictions for 2025.
Channelling Carmela Soprano
It’s been about two decades since actor Edie Falco graced TV sets as the memorable Carmela Soprano in The Sopranos. Equally memorable were the iconic matriarch’s signature French-tipped nails, created by celebrity manicurist Maria Salandra.
It’s a look Toronto-based nail artist Karla Branco predicts will take hold this year, but on short, square nails. Unlike the deep French manicure that was a red-carpet staple in 2024, this ’90s-style French mani curves “with the natural nail’s free edge,” Branco said. The result is a softer, classic and more subtle look.
Ick factor
The latest look leaving the clean-girl esthetic shaking in its pristine Sambas? All things gross. According to Kayla Wells, co-founder of Montreal-based Studio Lak, there’s been a significant shift from the “quiet luxury” manis made popular by Sofia Richie Grainge to a “more maximalist ugly-cute approach to nail art.” Think visceral designs inspired by everything from petri-dish specimens to aliens.
In a mood
According to Pinterest, all forms of aura-inspired beauty will dominate feeds this year, so expect requests for aura nails to continue. Wells says manicurists have rediscovered the airbrush over the last couple years, allowing them to pull off this ethereal look.
Eye of the tiger
Scintillating cat-eye polish (which uses a magnet to create the effect) will steal the spotlight this year. Consider it chrome’s amped-up sister.
Calgary nail tech Kat Pham says the lacquer is particularly big in Korea, Japan and China, and she attributes its popularity to advances in the formulas. “In the past, cat-eye nail polish was not as popular or nice because the glitters were super chunky,” she said. Today’s options are much more refined.
Branco has also seen an uptick in requests for this style. “It’s a unique, bold look,” she said. “I think it will continue to rise in popularity, especially with the influence of K-beauty nail trends that embrace eye-catching, dimensional finishes.”
Touch of glass
A particular cat-eye polish style that’s set to blow up? The glass-nail look, which just as it sounds, mimics the effect of a shiny and translucent plate of glass placed on the nail. It’s a request Emily Thien Le, owner of Toronto’s Emily House Nail Studio, received regularly in 2024 and one she anticipates will be coming in hot again this year. The design is achieved by using the traditional cat-eye nail magnet and a special technique to create an altogether different effect.
Mixed media
This year, tips will be the canvases for mini-masterpieces rendered in all types of media. “I think we will see a lot more non-traditional tools gain popularity,” Wells said. She listed pencil crayons, oil pastels, alcohol markers and inks as mediums artists will reach for to create texture. Le, too, anticipates a rise in abstract designs using alcohol inks.
Seeing (cherry) red
Maraschino! Morello! Montmorency! Experts agree seductive cherry hues will be on everyone’s nails this year. “I definitely see cherry-cola red making a strong comeback, especially with the “mob wife esthetic and its deep, rich tones,” Branco said. “It’s a timeless colour that feels both bold and elegant, so I can see it becoming popular among clients looking for that sophisticated vibe.”
Added dimension
3D accents, from sculptural flowers to abstract blobs, boomed last year, and Le predicts these flourishes will stick around in 2025. She says carving gel, with its gummy texture, makes creating custom shapes a breeze. Branco agrees 3D accents will carry on, especially once the warmer months come around. She’s partial to a clean and simple sheer manicure with a 3D accent — a look her clients request often.
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